Dianthus plant named ‘DDTBW13-0’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of  Dianthus  plant named ‘DDTBW13-0’ is disclosed, characterized by unique bi-color flowers of burgundy with well-defined white margins. Plants bloom for an extended period into the Summer and are hardy to USDA Zone 5. The new variety is a  Dianthus , typically produced as a garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Dianthus hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘DDTBW13-0’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar is a product of a planned breeding program. The new variety originated as the result of the crossing of the female parent, an unpatented, proprietary Dianthus referred to as ‘13-307-001’.and the pollen parent, a different unpatented proprietary Dianthus referred to as ‘13-130-002’. The crossing was made during July 2017 at a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. ‘DDTBW13-0’ was discovered and selected at a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif., in December of 2018.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DDTBW13-0’ was first performed in Santa Paula, Calif. at a research greenhouse by vegetative terminal cuttings in January of 2019. ‘DDTBW13-0’ has since produced several generations and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DDTBW13-0’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘DDTBW13-0’. These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘DDTBW13-0’ as a new and distinct Dianthus cultivar:

-   -   1. Unique burgundy colored flowers with a distinct white margin         on the petals.     -   2. Early flowering.     -   3. Suitability for both garden and container uses.     -   4. Extended bloom time into Summer and Fall months.     -   5. Hardy to USDA Zone 5.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTBW13-0’ are comparable to the seed parent in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTBW13-0’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. Plants of the new variety are more compact than plants of the         seed parent.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTBW13-0’ are comparable to the pollen parent in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTBW13-0’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety produces multi-whorled flowers, the pollen         parent produces single flowers.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTBW13-0’ are comparable to the commercial Dianthus variety ‘DDTHP02-0’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 28,102. The two Dianthus varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTBW13-0’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety produces bi-color burgundy and white flowers         while this comparator has solid pink flowers.     -   2. Foliage of the new variety is longer and narrower than         foliage of this comparator.     -   3. Plants of the new variety are on average 2.5 cm taller than         plants of this comparator.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DDTBW13-0’ are comparable to the commercial Dianthus variety ‘DCACR08-0’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 30,026. The two Dianthus varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics; however, the new variety ‘DDTBW13-0’ differs in the following:

-   -   1. The new variety produces bi-color burgundy and white flowers         while this comparator has solid dark pink flowers.     -   2. Foliage of the new variety is brighter green than foliage of         this comparator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘DDTBW13-0’ in a greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. This plant are approximately 12 weeks old, grown in a 6 inch pot.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the flowers.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Colour Chart, 2007, except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘DDTBW13-0’ plants in a commercial greenhouse in Santa Paula, Calif. Temperatures ranged from 10° C. to 29° C. night and day. No artificial light, photoperiodic treatments or chemical treatments were given to the plants. Natural light conditions were approximately 2500 to 4000 fc of light. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Dianthus hybrid ‘DDTBW13-0’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: About 10 days at approximately 24° C. -   Time to produce a rooted cutting: About 18 days at 24° C. -   Root description: Fibrous roots, approximately 1 to 3 mm in     diameter, colored near Orange-White 159C.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 20 weeks from rooted cutting. -   Pot size: 6 inches. -   Plant type: Compact upright flowering perennial. -   Plant habit: Upright growing stems emerge basally. -   Plant spread: Approximately 28 cm. -   Height: Approximately 23 cm to top of flowering plane. Approximately     19 cm to top of foliar plane. -   Length plant stem: Average range 7 to 10 cm. -   Diameter of plant stem: Approximately 3 mm. -   Quantity stems: Approximately 30. -   Stem:     -   -   Color.—Near RHS Green 139D.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Internode length: 2.2 to 3.4 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite (in pairs).         -   Quantity.—Approximately 8 to 12 fully expanded per stem.         -   Average length.—7.0 cm.         -   Average width.—4 mm.         -   Shape of blade.—Linear.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Base.—Clasping.         -   Attachment.—Sessile.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Green 137D. Young             foliage under side: Near RHS Green 138A. Mature foliage             upper side: Near RHS Green 137B. Mature foliage under side:             Near RHS Green 137B.         -   Venation.—Type: Linear. Venation color upper side:             Indistinguishable from foliage. Venation color under side:             Indistinguishable from foliage.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Continuous flowering from Spring until     Fall. -   Inflorescence type and habit: Umbel of 2 to 4 flowers. -   Flower longevity on plant: 2-3 weeks. -   Quantity of flowers: Approximately 30 to 40 flowers and buds on a     12-week old plant. -   Flowers persistent or self-cleaning: Persistent. -   Fragrance: Very mild sweet, clove-like scent. -   Inflorescence (umbel) size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 6.0 cm.         -   Height.—Approximately 5.0 cm. -   Individual flower size:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 3.5 cm.         -   Length.—Approximately 3.1 cm. -   Petals:     -   -   Petal arrangement.—Multiple whorl.         -   Shape.—Spatulate.         -   Base.—Attenuate.         -   Margin.—Serrated.         -   Apex.—Shallowly serrated.         -   Length.—2.0 cm.         -   Width.—1.5 cm.         -   Petal quantity.—Average range 12 to 18.         -   Texture.—Smooth all surfaces.         -   Aspect.—Nearly flat. -   Color:     -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red 46A flushed             Red-Purple 59A, very small speckles near 59D. Well defined             margin Red 56C. Base Yellow 2D. Lower surface: Near RHS Red             51A flushed Red-Purple 59D. Base Yellow 2C.         -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: Near RHS Red 46A and 48B             flushed Red-Purple 59A and 58A, very small speckles near 59D             and 58D. Well defined margin White N155C. Base Yellow 2D.             Lower surface: Near RHS Red 49A flushed Red-Purple 59D. Base             Yellow 2C. -   Tube:     -   -   General description.—Tube consists of the elongated, unfused             base of the petals. Tube shape caused by a fused calyx.         -   Length.—1.8 cm.         -   Width.—0.7 cm.         -   Texture.—Smooth. -   Color:     -   -   Fully opened.—Inner surface: Near RHS Green 138B. Outer             surface: Near RHS Green 138B. -   Bud:     -   -   Shape.—Elongated cylinder.         -   Length.—Average 2.0 cm.         -   Diameter.—Average 1.0 cm.         -   Color.—Appearing petals colored near Red 54D flushed             Red-Purple 59A. -   Sepals:     -   -   Quantity.—5.         -   Arrangement.—Fused tube.         -   Shape.—Cylindric.         -   Length.—1.5 cm.         -   Width.—0.3 cm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Apex.—Acute.         -   Texture.—Smooth upper and lower surfaces.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138B. -   Bracteoles:     -   -   Shape.—Narrow Deltoid.         -   Quantity per flower.—5-7.         -   Length.—Approximately 5 to 7 mm.         -   Width.—Approximately 3 mm.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Texture.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138B. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—Average 3.2 cm.         -   Diameter.—2.0 mm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Green 138B.         -   Orientation.—Upright.         -   Strength.—Moderate.         -   Texture.—Smooth.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:     -   -   Number.—6.         -   Filament.—Length: 1. cm. Color: RHS White N155C.         -   Anthers.—Shape: Oblong. Length: 2 mm. Color: RHS             Green-Yellow 1D. Pollen: Not observed. -   Pistil:     -   -   Number.—1.         -   Length.—Approximately 2.7 cm.         -   Style.—Number: 2. Length: Approximately 1.9 cm. Color: Near             RHS White N155D.         -   Stigma.—Length: about 0.5 mm. Shape: Linear, arching. Color:             Near RHS White 155A.         -   Ovary.—Shape: Oblong. Diameter: 0.4 cm. Length: 0.7 cm.             Color: Near RHS Yellow-Green N144D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed to date. -   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     the normal diseases and pests of Dianthus has been observed. Typical     diseases of Dianthus include: Alternaria dianthicola, Botrytis     cinerea, Erwinia chrysanthemi, Pseudomonas caryophylli, Fusarium     graminearum, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium culmorum and Rhizoctonia     solani, Typical pests include; various species of Thysanopthera,     various Aphis species, and various species of Tetranychus. -   Temperature tolerance: USDA zones 5 through 10 tolerant. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Dianthus plant named ‘DDTBW13-0’ as herein illustrated and described. 